i'm thinking about getting a diesel truck, i like my hemi ram but it can't pull my trailer like i want it to, and gets about 10mpg doing it. i'm sick of the auto tranny shifting constantly while i'm towing.
what i really want is a 03/04 cummins ram with a 6spd. they cost more...
i have a chance at a 04 duramax 2500hd with allison trans for 9k, from what i read i would probably be happy with the allison and i could use the M mode if i wanted. the truck has 230k on it though... and the dude says blows smoke idling, but runs fine... he says its the injector seals and they are getting replaced, i know those years have a injector recall, and smoking is part of the symptoms. the guy says the head gaskets have been replaced.
fuel mileage while towing and reliability is most important, thats why i really want the cummins and 6spd. my father in law has one and gets around 20mpg towing a medium load, or unloaded. i'm heard dudes on the internets claim their duramax gets 20mpg unloaded and towing a small trailer... but lots of people say more like 15. 15 is not acceptable
what do you diesel ricers have to say about all this